Paris, Ontario – Travel Review

Paris, Ontario – Travel Review

Not only is Paris, Ontario a place I call home but also has become one of Ontario’s small town discoveries. Perfect for a day trip or a weekend away, Paris has always been where I’ve spent a lot of my time growing up as it was a good break away from the city life.

If you’re looking for a busy, hustling town, with a wild nightlife and major activities, Paris is not the destination for you. But if you’re looking to get away to do some outdoor exploring and eat at deliciously quaint restaurants, you’ve found the right place.

The best time to visit? Definitely the summertime.

There are so many outdoor activities you can do right in town including one of the most popular summer events I look forward to, tubing down the Grand River. The longest river in Southern Ontario, over 300 km long, you can spend the day (three to four hours) tubing on one of their two tubing routes. Don’t worry, they shuttle you back to Paris once you’re done.

Hungry? Everyone in town knows the best place to eat is Stillwaters Plate and Pour. Not just because of the food and drinks, but they have the best balcony in town! On a rooftop overlooking the Grand River, the wait for a table is definitely worth it.

My favourite place to visit and meet up with people is also the Blue Dog Café inside Paris’s daily market at the Wincey Mills. Located in Downtown Paris, The Paris Wincey Mills Co. is a historic building that dates back to 1889. This beautiful building is home to a year-round market with a diverse range of goods.

And one of my favourite events as a kid growing up in the area was always the Paris Fair. Have you been to the Royal Winter Fair? Same idea, just mix in some rides, an antique car show and think on a much smaller scale and you have the Paris Fair. The Paris Fair also only runs one weekend of the year, so if you’re planning on visiting, make sure to go Labour Day long weekend when the fair is on.

Only an hour away from Toronto is this secret gem of a town with one of the best chocolate shops and camp grounds you will find in Ontario. If you’re looking for somewhere new to explore this year, Paris is definitely worth the trip.